tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29376504504043419782024-03-13T21:15:58.240-06:00April Baker ... The Sister MissionaryThe Travels of Sister April Baker In the land of EnchantmentAprilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12673426434819853796noreply@blogger.comBlogger273125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2937650450404341978.post-70061895024232233472016-06-07T17:51:00.000-06:002016-06-11T18:07:58.948-06:00Going Home<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 12pt;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Hello friends! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">So, not to be trunky or
anything but this is the last e-mail you will ever get from me. At least as a
missionary. How crazy is that? So, I think the best thing we did this week was
last p-day. First, Sister Gibbons and I went to Holy Family, which is like the
Catholic version of Deseret Book. They looked at us funny when we walked in but
it was fun to look around. Then at zone sports we were trying to decide what
game to play and someone suggested duck duck goose as a joke. But then we
really ended up playing it for almost an hour! It was pretty great honestly. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">This week we also had
the weirdest lunch ever. Last week we spoke in church and the wife said
"Yeah, when I saw you up there I thought you looked like you were going to
be a terrible speaker but it turns out you were pretty good." Ok...
thanks? Ha, anyway, it was a weird meal to say the least. That same Sunday after
we spoke Bishop Kemsley announced that I was getting transfered in a few weeks.
Which is true, I am leaving but everyone has been super confused all week about
who is leaving and why are they going and how do you know so early and is it an
et and what happened and all of that. So my attempts to just disappear from the
mission field have been ruined =D <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Another highlight of the
week, everyone this week has been sick and on the verge of death. At Zone
Training alone, out of 14 people about 5 of them had either thrown up in the
past 24 hours or were well on their way. Ha, so it's been a bit of tough
week for the mission field out here in ABQW but things can only go up right? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Oh, the other great
thing that happened this week, we were having dinner with a family and the son
wanted us to play a game where you have to guess riddles. One of the questions
was something along the lines of " There are two people at a party, if one
more person shows up it is going to be a friend of both of them. True or
false?" We said true of course because "where two or three are
gathered in my name there also will I be." The kid looks at the answer and
says "correct!" I'm pretty sure that's not what the card said but we
got the answer right! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Well friends, let me
just end with this thought that came from the EQ president a few months ago.
Don't get distracted. We were outside of a potentials house, waiting for our
other member to get there and he said "You know, I think the biggest tool Satan
has is that he just keeps you busy until before you know it, you've died."
I can promise you that is so true, I have seen it again and again and again.
Even if it is something good that you are doing, you can not let it keep you
from what is best and what we need to be doing here. If I had a penny every
time someone over the last year and a half has said to me "I don't have
time for ...." I probably wouldn't have to work this summer. Whatever you
are doing, I doubt it is more important that what we are sharing. When I was
taking psych, we talked about something called relational preference. It is the
idea that we show what really matters to us in life through the way that we
spend our time. When we choose to do something, by nature we are not choosing
to do something else. We evidence our preferences through our actions. Of
course we have to do some things we don't want to do, and a lot of things are
needed to live and be happy like working etc. But if we aren't careful, we can
get distracted and loose our sense of priorities. We can forget why we are
here, what our purpose is, and that we are here to progress and come closer to
Heavenly Father. Everything else, is just a nice perk along the way. It isn't
enough to just be busy, anyone can be busy, there is a quote that says
something along the lines of even the ants are busy, it is what we are busy
about that matters. Look at your time, look at your priorites, remember what
you are doing here and who you are! And what that means for you and what you
need to do! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">I hope you all have an
amazing week! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Love, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">April<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Aprilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12673426434819853796noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2937650450404341978.post-59757126250852452422016-05-31T17:13:00.000-06:002016-06-11T17:30:17.774-06:00Be A Light To the World<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 12pt;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Hey friends! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">How was your week? I feel like there's not a lot to update you on since it's been one less day than usual since I wrote but we'll see. We had an awesome lesson with Loc this week. He says that the Holy Ghost freaks him out because of how often he feels it and how personal it is. He says "it's scary, but in a good way." It's pretty funny. We talked to him about baptism and he said he wants to do it but he has to talk to his wife first. We're hoping to set a date with him on Wednesday, which would be awesome! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">We had some interesting dinner adventures this week. So the Bosque branch is fed my members of the stake since their branch has about 10 people in it and each ward takes turns feeding them (by the way if you ever find yourself being asked to feed someone in a branch, Spanish, YSA or whatever please do! Those poor people never get any food). So this week it was our ward's turn to feed Bosque but somehow their dinner calendar and ours got put together, so we both thought we were going to the same places for dinner. So the members started freaking out when they thought that 4 missionaries were coming over and then we also have a mission rule where we aren't allowed to eat with other missionaries at members houses. So we got to do some fun juggling to see who got to eat with the member which night and who got to take their dinner to go or fend for themselves. It all worked out pretty well in the end though.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">We've been really hitting the pavement to find new investigators this week since we still only have two solid ones. We didn't find any news but we did find some interesting people. One guy asked us if we had ever been enlightened and offered to hang out with us some time so we could try some "unnatural enlightenment". Needless to say we politely declined. He told us we were really missing out though, because "that's how you really dream". So I guess my dreams will just always be lacking, oh well! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">We also had a few funny dinner experiences this week. We traveled back in time and had dinner with one of our zone leaders, Elder Thompson as a toddler. Elder Thompson's parents are divorced and less active, his first name is Brennen, and he has a twin sister. Anyway, we had dinner with a recently divorced less active mom in our ward who has twins, a boy named Brennen and a girl named Evelynn. So we thought that was kind of funny. We also had dinner the other night with our Relief Society president and her family who tried to set up Sister Gibbons with their son who is on a mission in Wyoming. Ha, don't do that either! It's weird! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">This week we've also been getting our focus for next month ready. We must be doing decently on them because they asked us to give a training on how to have a good focus at MLC this week. Anyway, last month's was "look not behind thee" and this month's is "You are more than what you have become. Remember who you are." It comes from a devotional given by President Monson at BYU (yes I was there, that's my hipster plug for the day) called Be A Light To the World. The idea though is that as we remember our divine nature, who we are, we can become better and we have the confidence to do the things Heavenly Father would have us do. In my interview with President Miller, something that he said was that confidence comes from knowledge. I think in a sense that's true of all things, when we have knowledge, we naturally have confidence. So, spiritual confidence comes from spiritual knowledge. When we have and understand who we are, we have the confidence to not only be the people he wants us to be but also to do the things that he wants us to do. If you find yourself afraid of sharing the gospel or afraid of standing up for something, or not even afraid but just being tempted, study your divine nature. Study who you are, where you came from, why you are here and what is really important in life, and you will naturally find your confidence growing, your happiness increasing and your priorities realign in the right direction. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/SlFnp8y0opE" width="560"></iframe><br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">I hope you all have an amazing week! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Love, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">April<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Aprilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12673426434819853796noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2937650450404341978.post-52546682932082017382016-05-25T17:30:00.000-06:002016-06-11T17:34:52.188-06:00Living in a FOG(H)<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 12pt;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Hey friends! Sorry to
write you on a Wednesday instead of a Tuesday but we had zone conference
yesterday so our p-day got switched to today. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">So first, the best thing
that happened this week, it rained! It was seriously the greatest thing ever,
especially since it's been in the 90's recently. Rain is my favorite thing in
the whole world I think, ice cream of course being a close second.<br />
<br />
We had a really good lesson with a new investigator named Joe this week. He was
a referral from the Spanish Elders. I was a little skeptical because he doesn't
seem to own a shirt and his house stinks like weed like you wouldn't believe
but, it was actually really good. He recognizes that his life is better when
God is in it and he wants to get back to that. We were supposed to see him
yesterday too but it didn't work out so hopefully we'll get to see him again
soon.<br />
<br />
Jessica also has a baptism date of June 11. I'm not sure if she's going to make
it since she is still really struggling with the word of wisdom but we're
keeping our fingers crossed! We also had a lesson this week with a man named
Melchezidck! How crazy is that! He's friends with a family in our ward but it
turns out he lives out of our area. But, another family has a friend named Loc
staying with them that we had our first lesson with on Sunday. He's not
Christian but open to other ideas and he really likes church so we'll see how
it goes! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The real highlight of
this week was being able to go to zone conference. It was good as usual, but
this one was a little different because it is the last on the we will have with
President and Sister Miller before they go home in July. So they gave us their
dying advice at the end. Ha, all the zone leaders "had something in their
eye", and Elder Sanchez was very concerned about what was wrong with Elder
Bracken. It was really good though, President and Sister Miller have been
amazing and I'm so thankful that they were here for my whole mission. I also
had my dying interview this week, which was strange. We spent a lot of time
talking about spiritual gifts obtained and how to continue to progress for the
rest of your life. He also said that if I wanted, he would interview my future
fiance before I got married so I might have to take him up on that =D <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">As for a spiritual
though, I have two but I think I'm going to save one for next week because I'm
a bit low on time. Something that President Miller said both in my interview
and in his advise at zone conference, was that living the gospel is simple,
it's living life that's hard. And life is what can sometime trick us into over
complicating the things of God. The primary things we invite investigators to
do to progress in CPR. Go to church, pray, and read your scriptures. Generally,
assuming you're attentive, and apply and all of that, that's all you really
need. Sometimes, when questions, concerns, and trials come up, you need other
things, and of course you have to follow and listen to the council and
revelation you get, but when you are doing those three, and for members of the
church attending the temple regularly, you will progress, you will grow, you
will move forward. It is something I have seen again and again. No matter what
stage you are at, high or low, we can always do better. We can always ask with
an open heart "what lack I yet?" and find the answer in those things
and come closer to Christ. So, if you are doing those 3/4 things, keep it up,
and if you're not, commit to start, today. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Oh, one more thing that
happened, I told President and Sister Miller that they couldn't get trunky in
their last few weeks and he just looked at me and said "ain't nobody got
time for that!". Sister Miller said they were living in a FOG(H) (the H is
silent I guess), a fear of going home. Ha, I told them I was in a pretty thick
FOG(H) too. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Well, I hope you all are
doing great and having a good week! Talk to you soon! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Love, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">April <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Aprilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12673426434819853796noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2937650450404341978.post-24020965252393556592016-05-17T17:46:00.000-06:002016-06-11T17:50:36.687-06:00Are you less active?<br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Friends! We just got
back from a baseball game! There was an afternoon Albuquerque </span>Isotopes<span style="font-size: 12pt;"> game and
our zone got permission to go! It was I have to say pretty awesome, and certainly a change of pace from basketball in the gym. Not that that's not good
too. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Last week at sports we
played a game called flicker ball, which is like ultimate </span>Frisbee<span style="font-size: 12pt;"> but you play
it in the gym with a football, and instead of getting the ball into the end
zone you get it into the basketball hoop. It was pretty fun, so if you're ever
looking for a weird new game to play give it a try! <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">We picked up a new
investigator this week! Yay!! His name is Eric and he's friends with a member
of the branch. We met him at FHE and after we left he asked the Branch
President for our number because he "wanted to talk to us about
Jesus." Can do Eric! Can do! He doesn't know much about the church though,
or even Christ really. In our first lesson he asked us what it was like to be
nuns and he brought us some </span>incense<span style="font-size: 12pt;"> that Catholics use for some kind of
ceremony. So that was nice... Ha, he's a nice guy though so hopefully he's
interested in learning more and is willing to put some effort in. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">We met with that family
that I was telling you about a few weeks ago, where the father passed away
suddenly. We hadn't ever really talked to them up to this point just because of
everything that was going on but we did this week. Guess where they lived
before </span>Albuquerque<span style="font-size: 12pt;">? Marysville, Washington. How weird is that?!? <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">We also went on a few
less active adventures and were happy to find that a few of them were actually
active and just like to travel. We were talking to one thought to be less
active member who asked what we were doing for the day and we said "going
to go see less actives." They laughed and said "I hope we </span>weren't<span style="font-size: 12pt;"> one
of those!" ... they were... <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">As far as something
spiritual for the week goes, we are still reading those books by Elder Bednar.
Today we talked about being offended and taking offense. This is a clip from
one of the talks we discusses. </span><br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/zzisATmAlFU" width="420"></iframe><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">On of my favorite quotes
from Brigham Young goes something like: A man who takes offense when offense is
not intended is a fool. A man who takes offense when offense is intended, is
also a fool. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Ha, anyway, I hope you
all are doing well and have an amazing week! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Love, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">April<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">p.s. Sister Gibbon this
morning accidentally called Pahoran Pathoran.</span>Aprilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12673426434819853796noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2937650450404341978.post-14912219136461954692016-05-10T17:06:00.000-06:002016-06-11T17:12:56.204-06:00Answered Prayers<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EC3EA-9wh3A/V1yaMCinl2I/AAAAAAAAAug/nKdwYguVukUaRZb_6XN5bz2VK2kuWnI1wCLcB/s1600/costco_beef_dog_drink5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EC3EA-9wh3A/V1yaMCinl2I/AAAAAAAAAug/nKdwYguVukUaRZb_6XN5bz2VK2kuWnI1wCLcB/s320/costco_beef_dog_drink5.jpg" width="245" /></a><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"> Friends, I have bad news. I forgot my planner
today, which has all of my notes on the crazy shenanigans that have gone on
during the week. So, I'll tell you two stories and leave you with a though and
try to not forget it next time, sorry!<br />
<br />
We were having a meeting and somehow off
hand it was brought up that Sister Gibbons has a Cost-Co card. One of the
Elders started protesting about how he lived right behind Cost-Co and he had to
see if every day but he didn't get to go inside. She offered to let him use her
card. He thought about it for a minute and then said "No, I'm too poor for
Cost-co. All I really want is a hot dog.". So now whenever we see the
Bosque Elders or something disappointing happens we just respond with
"will someone please get that man a hot dog?". Maybe you had to be
there but I was, so it was pretty great.<br />
<br />
The second thing happened yesterday
during our weekly planning. We live about half a mile from our zone leaders and
the other sisters in our zone. Around 2:30 we got a text from the zone
leaders asking us to call them. We did and were asked if we could bring over
some butter. When we asked if they were home now they said yes and that they weren’t
going anywhere any time soon. When we asked why they said "Well... it's
kind of a long story but Elder Thompson was trying to fix a leak in the sink
and now his hand is stuck in it." So naturally then needed the butter to
get his hand unstuck. We came over and brought them my tool kit, Windex, and
some butter but... it turns out that they actually just wanted butter so that
they could make cookies. It was pretty funny and we totally fell for it, but we
came away with a new motto for the transfer. "Don't wait around for your
Zone Leader, he's probably stuck under a sink.".<br />
<br />
So anyway, now on to something slightly
more spiritual. A lot of times on the mission I've thought back to my old areas
or my old companions and thought "if only I could go back and serve there
again, I would do so much better the second time.". Not that I was bad
before, just because I know more now. Towards the end of my last transfer in
Hondo Pass, when I knew that I was going to leave, I asked Heavenly Father that
if it was possible, I would like to go back to somewhere I had been before. Or
get the change to work with/ around some of my old comps I had before. And I
promised that if that happened, I would be better this time. I would use what I
learned to do what I should have done the first time. In this transfer and last
I've been blessed with that in literally every way you could imagine. I'm an
STL again, in a YSA again, in a family ward again, I'm serving in ABQW again,
and work in Rio Rancho again, and even get to work in two of my old areas. I've
had the chance to see and work with many of my old companions and even just
people that I've known from the past. And I know I haven't been perfect this
time around, but I hope I can keep my end of the deal and do my best to make
things better this time and make things right Anyway, just a thought, what a
huge testament of the love Heavenly Father has for us and how perfectly He
knows us! Anyway, have a good week!<br />
<br />
Love,<br />
<br />
April<span style="font-size: 9.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
Aprilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12673426434819853796noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2937650450404341978.post-28826479692711858632016-03-08T17:12:00.000-07:002016-03-13T17:18:53.899-06:00we got to go to the Albuquerque temple yesterday<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Well friends, I know
that you're not going to believe this but, I don't have a lot of time! So sorry
if this ends up a little short. This week we had some fun events. One of which
was our poor little car being the victim of a hit and run. We weren't in the
car when it happened but someone smashed out bumper and then took off. Don't
worry though, we used our detective skills to find them again (we were just
across the street and saw it happen) and get their plates and file a police
report. And that was 3 hours of pure fun, let me tell you! It actually wasn't
that bad, it just took a long time. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">In happier news, we got
to go to the Albuquerque temple yesterday. which was great! We get to go twice
a year, usually after conference, so we were surprised that it was this early
but hey, I'm not going to complain. And going up to Albuquerque from El Paso is
always a full day trip since it's 4 hours one way. We got all of our planning
done though so it was still productive, don't you worry (because I know that
you were all so worried right?)! It's always nice to be able to go up as well
because the whole mission goes on the same day, so often you get to see other
friends who are serving in different areas. Unfortunately for me though, I owed
one Elder some Mentos and I brought them all the way up from El Paso to give to
him but I didn't see him there. So naturally I had to eat them on the way
back. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">I think that I told you
all that we have been focusing more on part member families and unbaptized
children of record here in the mission. This week we received three new
investigators from it. All of them are children who have a member parent but
haven't been baptized themselves. Teaching kids helps us to remember how to be
simple, but it's always cool to see how easily they get it, and really how
simple the gospel really can be. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Something else that I've
really enjoyed this week have been Charles' new member lessons. He is teaching
them to us and we are being "investigators", which is really fun.
It's like an enjoyable role play, and it's good to be able to see his growth
and understanding. His wife has even "secretly" been listening in and
last week she told us that she wants to read The Book of Mormon! So we'll see
where that goes. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">We met with James again
this week, and he is still doing really well. He is very honest in his
questions, which is nice. Often times, people ask the same questions he does
but without the intent to understand, just as an attack. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Which brings me to what
I've been thinking about this week. I've been reading over my journal and
something we talked about in one of the Sunday meetings in the MTC
has been on my mind. We talked about when Christ goes to the temple and reads
the scripture that talks about the coming of Christ and says "this day is
this scripture fulfilled in your ears." Saying in essence, I am the messiah.
Well, the people had a freak out, yell blasphemy, and decided to stone him. And
he leaves of course and goes somewhere else to talk to other people. The lesson
to learn though is that what Christ said was true, he was the messiah, and just
because it was different from what the Jews were expecting, didn't make it any
less true. If they had opened their hearts and listened and learned from what
he had to say, they would have been enlightened and found a lot more, peace,
happiness and certainly spiritual understanding. But instead they get angry,
defensive, refuse to consider other options, and literally try to kill the
messenger. Now, obviously we can apply this to investigators, and people that
we as missionaries meet on the street, but more importantly, we should apply it
to ourselves. When we hear something that doesn't quite fit in exactly with
everything that we already believe, especially something spiritual, do we stop,
think, open our hearts and try and learn? Or do we get defensive, justify, and
get rid of or try to "kill" what we are hearing? Sometimes, what we
are hearing will be wrong, and if we are calm and rational about it, we will
learn and understand that. But sometimes, it will be right and true. And just
because it's different from what we think or think we know, doesn't make it any
less true. And we may be denying us of further peace, happiness and
understanding. Anyway, something to mull over. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Well, I hope you all are
doing amazing and talk to you soon! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Love, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">April <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">p.s. A quote from our
bishop this week when talking about fast and testimony meetings. "I just
figured eventually that this was the Lord's true church. He wants these weird
people in it just like he wants the normal ones." <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Aprilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12673426434819853796noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2937650450404341978.post-23781352903598859082016-03-01T17:11:00.000-07:002016-03-13T17:12:19.327-06:00one cool experience <div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Well friends, I'm not
sure that I have anything really all that exciting to report this week.
Honestly, really just the regular stuff. I am considering getting color
contacts though. We had a lesson with one new investigator this week who we
promptly dropped after, when he sent us a text telling us how much he had
fallen in love with my eyes. Yeah... I wish that was the only time that has
happened. I think that's probably #4. Just as a word of caution, when someone
starts complimenting your eyes, especially someone you don't know, just leave.
It's just going to go down from there. But hey, I haven't been called or asked
to participate in prostitution for a good month now so things are looking up I
guess! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">We did have one cool
experience this week where we tracked into a guy who invited us to come in
right there and teach him. He seems like a really cool guy so that was pretty
nice. We've also been working with Charles more this week with his new member
lessons. They're pretty fun because he teaches us and we pretend to not know
what he's talking about.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">We also got to take
Shirley to a baptism this week. She has been doing really well, which is
awesome, especially considering her situations. She is living with her son and
daughter in law and her son is deploying later this week. Her daughter in law
won't let us in the house though so we always have to meet somewhere else. She
has a lot of determination though and said "If we have to meet on the
driveway, that's fine with me!". At the baptism she also gave Elder
Montoya a hug and his reaction was pretty funny. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">This week I have been
considering how everything Heavenly Father does is for our benefit. And if we
don't understand now, we will in time. We were watching Prophet of the
Restoration and it was talking about all of Joseph Smith's children who have
died. I was thinking about how of course that was tragic and from our
perspective it seems unfair, and like he was being punished, or at least not
blessed or something. I thought though, that there is that thing about parents
being able to raise children who have died during the millennium. Joseph Smith
had a crazy life. Perhaps, his children were allowed to die, so that he would
be able to raise them later during a happier and more peaceful time. I mean, obviously
I don't know, but, when we take the time to really stop and think about things
that seem unkind or unfair, we find possible positive reason. And even when we
don't, we can take what we know about God, that he is our loving Heavenly
Father, that really does want and only do what is best for us and exercise the
faith to know that it will all work out in the end. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Anyway, hope you all
have a good week.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Love, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">April <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Aprilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12673426434819853796noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2937650450404341978.post-40307754979328949392016-02-23T16:51:00.000-07:002016-03-13T17:49:54.529-06:00Charles got baptized<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zD73NlVlTC4/VuX8bkccBGI/AAAAAAAAAuE/E0swWLnXJtUlOmggEKSpmZYpQZ5SDgvrw/s1600/april%2Bfeb%2B23%2Ba.jpe" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zD73NlVlTC4/VuX8bkccBGI/AAAAAAAAAuE/E0swWLnXJtUlOmggEKSpmZYpQZ5SDgvrw/s320/april%2Bfeb%2B23%2Ba.jpe" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">So this week Charles got
baptized!!!! Finally, !!!!!! Charles is only the second person that I have been
there on the day that we met and then also there on the day that he got
baptized. The first was John, who is also amazing! So we spent a good portion
of the week getting things ready for that. They interview and speakers and all
of that good stuff. Our WML was out of town this weekend too so that added to
the fun. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">This week was also Pope
Day! That's right, the Pope came to town! Well, actually he came to Juarez, but
you know, close enough. I was expecting honestly it to be a bigger hindrance
for us than it was, but really it just meant the people were all inside
watching the Pope on tv and got mad when we came to their door. So pretty much
just like any Sunday when a football game is on. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">We had a really cool
experience this week when we went to go see a recent convert that just moved
into our ward. She lives in an apartment complex that has a big "no
soliciting" sign in the front of it. As we were leaving the complex a lady
come out from the office and starts following us. I was pretty sure she was
going to yell at us for "soliciting in her complex" aka walking
through it, but actually she asked us if we had an extra copy of The Book of
Mormon. Her brother is a member and told her to look into it! So we gave her
one of course and are planning to meet with her later. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7vZfGToVLb8/VuX8bkDwIwI/AAAAAAAAAuA/alkDjAvi1HA3j7hwY3Y4LM2a67tM78H8A/s1600/april%2B12%2B29%2Bc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7vZfGToVLb8/VuX8bkDwIwI/AAAAAAAAAuA/alkDjAvi1HA3j7hwY3Y4LM2a67tM78H8A/s320/april%2B12%2B29%2Bc.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">We're still meeting with
Tina and Molly and they're doing alright, although both of them need their
dates pushed back. One of Judi's struggles with the Word of Wisdom is that she
gets really bad migraines and drinks coffee to get rid of them. That's why she
started even drinking it in the first place. So we're not quite sure what to do
about that. If you have any ideas, we'd be glad to hear them. Molly is the same
old stuff. Crazy family life and trying to work things out with her dad. But
we're going over later this week and we'll see how it goes. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">We also had a good
lesson with Tina who lives out in Chappy. She really asks a lot of good
questions and thinks about what it is that we're saying. And when we brought up
baptism she said "I'm glad you mentioned that because I do want to get
baptized. I've always known that I needed to." Of course we still have a
way to go before she gets there but, it's pretty great! Oh and it was also
Sister Dummar's birthday this week. So we of course told as many people as possible.
It reminded me of when it was always Sister Bowen's birthday. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-34Rs6utjdFY/VuX8bhbkydI/AAAAAAAAAt8/by7RAHZR5iIJfqYoS0IyvQPhhRMApHkHQ/s1600/april%2Bfeb%2B23%2Bb.jpe" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-34Rs6utjdFY/VuX8bhbkydI/AAAAAAAAAt8/by7RAHZR5iIJfqYoS0IyvQPhhRMApHkHQ/s320/april%2Bfeb%2B23%2Bb.jpe" width="239" /></a><span style="font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">This morning we listened
to President Uchtdorf's talk about the forget me not's where he talks about the
difference between a good and a foolish sacrifice. This is something that I've
thought about before so hopefully I haven't talked to you about it already, but
I was reminded of it this morning. He says that somethings are obviously good
to sacrifice for and some things obviously not so much. I was thinking though
about how a lot of the time, if somethings is a good or a foolish sacrifice is
up to us. Take a mission for example. The sacrifice has already been made, but
if it's a good sacrifice or a bad one or not is up to me, the things that I
choose to do, the way I spend my time and thoughts and attitude. Getting an
education is a sacrifice, and if it's a good or a bad one or not is up to you.
What you choose to study, how diligent you are about it, and what you choose to
do with what you study. In so many instances what the sacrifice becomes is up
to us. Another talks says it similarly. He talks about how Christ says that
Heavenly Father only gives bread, and fish and eggs, and not serpents and
scorpions. So, Heavenly Father only gives us good things. But, with our actions
and our attitudes, we can turn those good things into bad things. Especially if
the good thing he gives us, isn't the thing we want or the thing we expect. So
ask yourself when you are in a position of sacrifice, is this a good or bad
sacrifice? Or if the sacrifice has already been made, am I going to make it a
good one or a bad one? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">So anyway, hopefully you
all are doing well and have an amazing week!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Love, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">April </span>Aprilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12673426434819853796noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2937650450404341978.post-86305810725535597682016-02-02T16:17:00.000-07:002016-03-13T16:22:55.154-06:00#diesouth!<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Hello friends, not a
whole lot of excitement I feel like this week to report. I guess that's a good
thing though because it means that I might actually get to finish writing this
to you without having to rush. I guess the biggest missionary things is transfers.
And the verdict is.... #diesouth! Ha, I'm still here in Hondo Pass going on
transfer #5 and at least 8 months in El Paso before I leave. If I ever do that
is. It's a good place though and good things are really starting to happen here
though so I'm excited. This time for transfers the district all met at our
apartment and our District Leader gave everyone a candle. If you left, he blew
out your candle. He had way too much fun with it but it was fun and different.
Only one person from the district left though so it was a little anticlimactic.
I was really surprised though how few changes there are going to be in the
district/zone, especially considering the new stake that we're in but hey, it's
fine with me. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">In other exciting news,
we went with Charles to a baptism in Spanish this last weekend. Since only 1st
ward and us speak English almost all of the baptisms are in Spanish. Despite
only being able to understand every other word it was pretty great, and I think
that he liked it. When we asked him what he thought he said "Well, the
water will be cold and I need to bring a change of clothes." Um... yes...
I guess so? Ha, he is doing well though so I'm excited to be able to be here
for his baptism in a few weeks. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Speaking of Spanish, we
had exchanges this week and I got to go to Rio Grande. It was kind of fun to be
back over on the West side. Don't tell our friends here in the North East but
the west side is the best side! The north east has freak weather. Like
yesterday when it was 70 in the morning and sunny and snowing in the afternoon.
How does that work? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">We were able to pick up
a really cool new investigator this week named Erika. is interested in the
gospel has had a rough and interesting past, but she seems really eager and
open to learn, which is awesome of course! I'm excited to be able to work with
her more. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">At dinner the other day
our ward mission leader and his wife were telling us about the possible places
that they might be sent to by the army and they said "Hey, you're from
Washington. do you know a place called Marysville?" Ha, yes, yes I do. So
they might end up living there or in Everett. I've never heard of someone going
to Marysville because of the military but who knows! So, if the Maenhardts end
up in your ward you people back home say hi and know that we hung out first in
El Paso. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Other exciting news of
the week, we had some authentic Jamaican food. It was pretty good; I have to
say that I am a fan. I saw on the menu that you can get ox tail there so maybe
I'll try that some time. The member that took us, who is originally from
Jamaica said that Ox tail is only good if you have someone who really knows how
to cook it right so... there you go I guess. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">This week I have been
studying a lot from last year’s Relief Society and Priesthood book because I
realized that I have it but never really read it so now I am. Anyway, today I
was reading about "follow the prophet". One of the things it said is
that the most important prophet is the one who is alive today. And to beware of
people who would put a dead prophet over a living one. He also goes on to talk
about how people praise the prophets of old but mentally or emotionally reject
or crucify the current one. We see that a lot of course with people who don't
believe in prophets but I think that if we are not careful we can also see it
in ourselves. A prophet tells people what they need to hear, not what they want
to hear. And if they say something that we maybe don't like or pricks us in the
heart, maybe we should consider 1 Nephi 16: 2-3 "</span><i><span style="color: #373737; font-family: "Mercury SSm B",serif; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">wherefore, the
guilty taketh the truth to be hard, for it cutteth them to the very
center. And now my brethren, if ye were righteous and were willing to
hearken to the truth, and give heed unto it, that ye might walk uprightly
before God, then ye would not murmur because of the truth.</span></i><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Now, does that mean that you are a terrible
person if you are doing something wrong? Or if you don't agree exactly the
second you hear some council? I certainly hope not because otherwise I'm a
pretty bad person. But it is important to remember who knows best? You? Or
Heavenly Father's servant (btw, probably not you in case you were wondering)?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> Something that
really called me to consider my attitude towards the prophet was when Elder
Bennett was talking to us about inviting to baptism. I asked what to do when
you invite someone and they freak out and don't let you meet with them again.
He talked a lot about why it's important and how to do it and all of that but
at the end of the day the bottom line was this. The call to invite others to be
baptized at the first lesson the majority of the time and no later than the
second lesson the rest of the time comes from the prophet. If you don't support
that principle, you don't support his council. Sorry, that's just the truth.
Now, does it always "logically" make sense? The way that it appears
to our natural eyes? No. But neither does tithing, or fasting, or so many other
commandments that don't 'add up" if we scientifically analyze them. But
they are true, and they are from God. And as we do them and do his will, we
will be blessing, including being blessed to understand why. So, when you have
a fork in the road ask yourself, who knows best? Anyway, sorry for the ramble.
And lest you think I am contradicting myself by my last ramble about scripture
study, prophets say to study the scriptures so there! Ha, just don't put them
above the living one =D <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Anyway, I hope you all
have an amazing week! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Love, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">April <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Aprilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12673426434819853796noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2937650450404341978.post-91803811873264121412016-01-27T16:16:00.000-07:002016-03-13T16:16:52.455-06:00Don't Worry Be Happy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Va9tYe_LZLg/VuXmr1vh84I/AAAAAAAAAs0/5weygyHbHbgQSh_4cZUP2YLmRnr4EubEA/s1600/download.jpe" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Va9tYe_LZLg/VuXmr1vh84I/AAAAAAAAAs0/5weygyHbHbgQSh_4cZUP2YLmRnr4EubEA/s1600/download.jpe" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Oh my lanta friends!
Why is there never any time to write anything! I promise that I will write you
first next week! This week was fantastic! We were able to pick up 6 new
investigators and one of them even came to church. We also tracked into a less
active that has been looking for the church and hey look, it just came to you!
We were able to do a lot of service this week as well, including vacuuming up
dirt from a person's yard. I know, that doesn't make any sense but you know,
that's the service that they wanted us to do so we went with it! We spent some
fun time out in Chappy this week and Charles is now totally off of coffee and
making his way quite well towards his date. This is the last week of the
transfers and now that Monday p-day is no longer a thing I might get to write
you next week from a new area! But you never know, they do say, go south die
south and so far it's been true to its word! #greaterthanorequalto5transfers.
By the way, are hashtags still a thing? If they aren't I'll just use them occasionally
to annoy Autumn but that's it. =D <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">As for a spiritual
thought this week, I really liked what I friend sent me so I 'll just send that
to you! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"I feel like
people get lost when they think happiness as a destination. We always think
that someday we’ll be happy. When we get that car or that job or that person in
our lives who will fix everything but what people fail to realize is that
happiness is a mood and it’s a condition. NOT A DESTINATION. It’s like being
tired or hungry. It’s not permanent. It comes and goes and that’s okay. And if
people would think that way then they’d find happiness more often." <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Be happy! But if
you're not happy 24/7 don't worry, that's ok! Happiness comes when you're not
expecting it and it's the moments of joy when we realize that we really are
happy, and happier than we knew! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Anyway, sorry this is
so short! Love you all and talk to you next week! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">April<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Aprilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12673426434819853796noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2937650450404341978.post-56312384525690584942016-01-19T16:08:00.000-07:002016-03-13T16:13:06.557-06:00Our area is really starting to do well <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jmD2mzFQT_Y/VuXlm7JVxFI/AAAAAAAAAsg/S4nJh7j9FOAUQcQhxPA0tWK58cpIHHl3w/s1600/images%2B%25281%2529.jpe" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jmD2mzFQT_Y/VuXlm7JVxFI/AAAAAAAAAsg/S4nJh7j9FOAUQcQhxPA0tWK58cpIHHl3w/s1600/images%2B%25281%2529.jpe" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Hello friends! This
week was I feel like pretty eventful so hopefully I can say everything that I'd
like to! I feel like our area is really starting to do well and we are really
having success at finding and teaching new investigators. Which inevitable means
that I am about to get transferred. Whenever the area really starts to turn
around and good things start happening there I get booted. But who know, I
guess we'll see in a few weeks.<br />
<br />
Let's see, where to start. This week we
were able to pick up two new investigators who both now look like they have a
lot of potential. The first is a girl that we tracked into named Haley. She and
her son Colton are looking for a new church to join and have never heard of our
church before. What they have heard of though is some scary sounding Korean
church she was investigating a few weeks ago where you have to wear veils and
they have additional scripture that answers all of your questions that you
can't see or know about until you become a member. So you know I figure, if she
was willing to give that a shot we ought to be pretty golden! She was it seems
pretty involved in Wicca in the past though and probably has been watching a
little too much Buffy the Vampire Slayer/ Supernatural (we got a lot of
questions about Lilith and succubus and the Hell Mouth (ok, maybe not that last
one...)) but that shouldn't be too hard to straighten out. And she is really
interested and honest with her questions so I'm excited for her!<br />
<br />
Our second new investigator is named
Victor and we've had some interesting times with him... We scheduled two
appointments with him which were both dropped (he forgot about them) and we
helped him move some branches out of a truck. Finally, on Saturday we had a
lesson with him which was a disaster! He kept getting distracted about random
things, we would say apostle and he started talking about opossums and about
how he liked my boots and oh my lanta it was a mess. Sister Bishop is amazing
though and even with all of that nonsense going on she still invited him to
baptism! And somehow we got a return appointment with him the next day. I don't
know for sure what happened between Saturday night and Sunday afternoon but the
next day the lesson was totally different. He was on track, calm, listened and
answered questions and we were able to teach a good and powerful restoration
lesson. At the end of it he said "I know what you are telling me is
true." and as we were leaving he stared reading the chapter that we left
for him in the Book of Mormon.<br />
<br />
Charles and Judi and continuing to do
well, and working on their word of wisdom fantastically! This week were also
able to meet with some amazing potentials as well! So we are hoping to get some
great new investigators this week.<br />
<br />
We've been having some fun with the
Chaparral Elders recently. Elder Evan's new companion is from Peru and doesn't
speak a whole lot of English, so Elder Evans has been teaching him English and
he is practicing with us. He is also teaching us a little Spanish as well. The
Elders came over the other day to bring us back our GPS and Sister Dummar and
Sister Bishop kept offering him food. The poor guy didn't know it was ok to say
no! And he also made us lunch yesterday when we went out to Chappy to see our
new investigator Tina. We also got to see Elder Evan's hole. Apparently for
exercise he just digs a hole deeper and deeper every day. I guess you can do
that when you live out in the middle of nowhere. I'll have to take a picture of
it the next time I go out there but it's at least 6 ft deep.<br />
<br />
We've been having a lot of adventures out in Chappy recently including
talking to random German people, eating a lot of food, and organizing jewelry
with Tina. So it's been fun! This is my 5th transfer covering Chappy and I
still see something exciting every time I go there. One of these days I'll have
to go explore it as a regular person.<br />
<br />
In other quick news, our stake split of
course but only the same way that it was already split by zones so it doesn't
really influence us, Sister Dummar has officially become my secretary ( I just
realized that I always make her write everything down for some reason) and
probably will be forever. When is secretary day? Someone tell me and I'll get
her something =D Also, I've been teasing her because she almost told someone
their house smelt nice when it reeked like pot ha ha.<br />
<br />
Ok, really quickly, I have been thinking
a lot recently and wanted to talk about something a random man in a Rio Rancho
Walmart dubbed as "low informational Christians". He told us he was
sick of talking to and running into them and I have to say I agree! Ok, now let’s
not get crazy here, you are always learning of course and you are never going
to know everything, especially random things like dates, but so many people
claim to be Christians and don't know anything about it! Do you know how many
people don't know the 10 commandments? How can you follow them if you don't
know what they are! And even in the church, it scares me honestly how little
people know about their own faith. I've had missionaries ask me "wait...
the Book of Mormon was written where again?" Please, read and study your
scriptures. Lean, grow, fulfill your purpose of being here on the earth! If you
can tell me more about Minecraft than Nephi we have an issue! The way that you
obtain freedom is from knowledge, enlightenment and understanding. Do you know
how many people have died, sacrificed and given anything so your scriptures
could exist today! Don't waste their sacrifice. It has been said that the
scriptures have never been more accessible than they are today BECAUSE they
have never been more needed. Heavenly Father is giving us the tools and he
expects us to use them. Ok, sorry, this turned into way more of a lecture than
I wanted but I don't have time to beat around the bush and make is eloquent. I
promise next week I'll write about something more uplifting!<br />
<br />
Love<br />
<br />
April<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Aprilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12673426434819853796noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2937650450404341978.post-14386915530483611452015-12-29T15:51:00.000-07:002016-03-13T17:48:17.260-06:00"Did you know it's cold outside?"<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lUug2meQE9Y/VuX8D4nhSOI/AAAAAAAAAt0/blkGBJu64ForizW6j36nNgu3E-EaU-i8A/s1600/april%2B12%2B29%2Ba.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lUug2meQE9Y/VuX8D4nhSOI/AAAAAAAAAt0/blkGBJu64ForizW6j36nNgu3E-EaU-i8A/s320/april%2B12%2B29%2Ba.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Well, I know that
Christmas is over but Merry Christmas on last time! We are still our caroling
at least until the new year. But caroling is a lot cooler now (literally and figuratively)
because it's snowing! On the 26th it started dumping snow and church was even
canceled, which is really kind of a bummer since we had like 4 people we were
pretty sure were going to go but what can you do? El Paso can hardly handle the
rain so the whole city pretty much shut down, which was nice for us. People had
nowhere to go which means that they are home! They're so funny though, they
always say "Did you know it's cold outside?" Oh yeah? I didn't know
that... <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">So, the exciting news,
Charles is on bap date! He should be getting baptized February 22nd and we have
a word of wisdom plan for him and everything! It's even more exciting because
the last time we really talking to him about it in detail he said maybe in a
few years! So February is a pretty good improvement! We also talked to Judi
about picking a date to get baptized on as well so she should be getting going
here as well! Yay! And we got to see Ron and Teresa and we might get to help
them with their remodeling soon. I was really glad we were able to see them
again after so long. They need to get themselves to church! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">This Christmas Eve we
had a Christmas miracle! They mail that they said we weren't going to get until
January came on Christmas Eve! So it wasn't cancelled ha ha. We also got to
pretend to be President Monson again this year and visited all of the single/lonely
people in the ward. Mostly old people but a few Sisters whose husbands are
deployed. It was really good though. One older sister we went to go see when we
showed up said "Before you got here I was literally just praying that
someone would come by." So that was pretty cool to hear. And lots of
people told us that our coming meant a lot. It was a good way to spend
Christmas Eve and Christmas. And all of our Hispanic friend invited us to party
with them on Christmas Eve and have pasole and tamalies and all of our
Caucasian friend were out of town because White people don't like El Paso ha
ha. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mv0bfMVcHbU/VuX8LLypiEI/AAAAAAAAAt4/47S-UAD4aJUXrNWsjH8KWnJUK-UcASS1g/s1600/april%2B12%2B29%2Bb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mv0bfMVcHbU/VuX8LLypiEI/AAAAAAAAAt4/47S-UAD4aJUXrNWsjH8KWnJUK-UcASS1g/s320/april%2B12%2B29%2Bb.jpg" width="240" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Also, we had a real
Christmas miracle when we were caroling the other day. The lady that opened the
door started crying and told us she had been feeling so down because people
haven't been focusing on Christ. She said that she is looking for a place to go
to church and that we should come back. So that was really cool. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">By the way, I totally
had an insight this week that applies to what I know all of you are going to
make one of your New Year’s resolutions. Exercise! We were teaching the word of
wisdom and talking about the spiritual insights that come from abstaining from
the things God has asked us not too. And we were talking about how for most of
us who are already baptized the next step is do eat right and exercise. Imagine
if we can see spiritual insights and growth from living the bare minimum word
of wisdom that most of us do, how much better it will be as we live it as fully
as we can. And I was thinking about the missionary schedule. The first thing
you do when you get up in the morning is exercise. After that you prepare for
the day and eat and then study. Exercising right after you roll out of bed is
the worst but, I think that it might be designed that way to help us be able to
get more out of our studies. And we take the opportunity to live the word of
wisdom by taking care of our bodies through exercise and then eating a god
breakfast, it will open our minds to further spiritual insights we can then receive
as we study to help us throughout the day. At least, that's my new theory and
it's a little better intensive at least for me to not be a slacker than
"because you're supposed to do it." Spiritual and temporal knowledge
is in the balance here! Ha, ha anyway, I'll try it out and let you know how it
goes! Have a good new year! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Love, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">April <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Aprilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12673426434819853796noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2937650450404341978.post-85958717608377223602015-12-22T15:25:00.000-07:002016-03-13T16:01:41.128-06:00Merry Christmas!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AP0-bck7Q78/VuXgqcqgbgI/AAAAAAAAAsA/pHAtaXbHzBkDKP1LeOzreu-mqQQukdyug/s1600/SCO_5006_aspect16x9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AP0-bck7Q78/VuXgqcqgbgI/AAAAAAAAAsA/pHAtaXbHzBkDKP1LeOzreu-mqQQukdyug/s320/SCO_5006_aspect16x9.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Hey friends! Merry
Christmas! Holy cow can you believe that Christmas is this week? That is
crazy!! Also, sorry but I forgot my old planner at home so I'm just going to
have to go off of memory oh what we've been up to. Mostly it has been adjusting
to being in a trio! So far, so good. We even have like 6 inches between all of
our beds so you know, what more do you need? Really though it's not bad at all
and now when Sister Dummar is talking in her sleep I can just tell her to be
quiet from my bed instead of having to get up. Ha ha, don't tell her I said
that though =D<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">One thing that made
this week exciting was that we had to take our car into the shop again. That's
the third time since I've been here in Hondo Pass that we've had to take it in.
When we got to the dealership people were like "Oh hey! Welcome back! Good
to see you!" And stuff so... probably not the best place to be well known.
Oh, that just reminded me of the best commercial ever for some electric car, I
think a Prius but sadly I can't show it to you right now. Someone remind me in
5 months. Poor Sister Bishop though, we were like "welcome to the mission!
ready to walk everywhere all day?" Thankfully we got it back the next day
though and everything has been good since. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Last Saturday we had a
really cool experience. So we are allowed to do two hours of family history a
week and on Saturday when we decided to go the family history library was
closed so we went to the regular one. While we were there we saw a man who
works in the computer lab and I had the random thought "maybe we're here
to talk to him", but I didn't think much more about it and started to log
on. About 2 minutes after being there the man came up to us and asked if we
were from the LDS church. Well, it turns out that he used to be a member but
after breaking an engagement with a girl who was a member (who introduced him
to the church) left the church and became atheist. He talked to him about it of
course and he said that he was pretty happy how he was, but it feels like it made
a difference. Hopefully it will help him some way.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">This week we had a
lesson with our new investigator Claudy who said something really cool. We were
talking about how God loves us and wants to bless us and he asked if we
believed in tithing. We said yes of course and he talked about how he has heard
lots of stories about how tithing blesses people and told us a story about one
of his acquaintances who was trying to out give God. He said that the more he
tried the more frustrated he became because for everything he did for God, he
got back way more. Things that he couldn't even explain were happening. Oh
course you have to do it for the right reasons, but I like the idea of trying
to out give God. I mean, it's impossible, the scriptures even talk about that,
but I think it would help if we did it with the right mindset to help us to be
humble. You know like "Because I Have Been Given Much I Too Must
Give." It reminds me as well of this cool Mormon message I saw the other
day. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzxmwV5BQWyS9AaX4G7FpHQJhVmJ_f139F5CA-iFZlYINq2-OZQPQPNg7rECD4VPzpBiP48xP5v7blsUIrWHQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Anyway, I hope that
you all have an amazing Christmas! It really is the best time to be a
missionary and the best time if we let it to renew ourselves and help ourselves
feel the love and light of God. I think there's a reason we celebrate it at the
end of the year (besides of course moving it for pagan traditions and blah
blah) because it flows so naturally into the new year and wanting to start
again. Talk to you soon! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Love, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">April <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Aprilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12673426434819853796noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2937650450404341978.post-53601490235408005462015-12-14T15:18:00.000-07:002016-03-13T15:22:22.811-06:00This week has been full of singing!<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">So guess what this new
transfer is bringing to us? Well, I'm staying here in Hondo Pass! This is the
longest that I've stayed in any area so far, so that's kind of crazy. We are
also going to be trio training this transfer! Which means that we are going to
get another new missionary and Sister Dummar and I are going to train her
together while I finish training her during her second transfer. How is that
going to work? I have no idea. But we'll figure it out I'm sure. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">This week has been
full of singing! We haven’t been caroling almost every night and on Saturday we
sang at the mall for a few hours. It was pretty cool I have to say and the
institute was super kind and feed us after. I really do feel like people are
way nicer to us than we deserve. We also had an awesome ward Christmas party
and Charles and his wife came. Ha, she was like "I didn't know Mormons
celebrated Christmas!" A comment that became even funnier because just the
next day we were talking to a member who told us a story about how she told some
guy Merry Christmas and he response was "Don't tell me, you're a
Mormon!" Apparently Catholics don't like Christmas? At least here in El
Paso apparently? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">We had two lessons
with Charles this week that both went really well. Our lesson yesterday we read
over the baptism interview questions with him. He still has a long way to go
until he's ready (prophets, tithing, and Word of Wisdom) but he has the desire
to be baptized. He is doing really well and keep pretty much all of his
commitments.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">We also had a good
lesson with Molly and will hopefully be able to schedule something really soon
for her baptism. We're going to have dinner at their house on Christmas though
so that will be awesome! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Other than that it's
just kind of been the same old same old. Sorry that I don't have too many
exciting adventure this week. Maybe with a new person we can get into more
adventures. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">This week I have been
studying humility and how it helps with personal growth. I guess I don't have
anything really interesting or enlightening to say about it, but really just
the thought that it encompasses so many things. I think especially when we see
something as either an exception or we think we know better. Of course there
are going to be some exceptions to things but in the long run we have to ask
ourselves, who knows better? Me or God? Or, what do I gain by "being
right"? Sometimes you do need to be right, but sometimes you don't. In the
talk We'll Ascend Together it talks about how often we have a choice, to be happy
and progress or to be right. Pride also goes both ways. It can be in putting
yourself above everyone else but also in putting everyone else above you. A
sort of false humility. Anyway, I'm sure you all knew that already. I hope you
are having a merry Christmas season and a fantastic week! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Love, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">April <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Aprilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12673426434819853796noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2937650450404341978.post-65525999993218420032015-12-08T15:15:00.000-07:002016-03-13T15:18:41.111-06:00Would you like to be Baptized?<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Hello friends, how are
you today? Unfortunately, almost all of our appointments fell through this week
so there isn't a lot of interesting news to report. We were able to meet with
Charles and Molly though. They are both doing great! We taught Charles about
the Word of Wisdom and at first he was very much like "No, nope, this is
never going to happen." But by the end of the lesson, he had really opened
up to it and was willing to give it a try. He says he's going to start with
alcohol though. Which is good but... not any different than what he's already
doing. Oh well, I guess you've got to take what you can get right? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">This week we've had a
lot of meetings but it has been good. We had interviews with President Miller
and he asked us to ask our ward in ward council what we can do to make it more
of a ward where we assist members in doing missionary work, rather than doing
most of the work ourselves. We brought up the idea and got a few suggestions
but nothing really solid. But, at least it's out there now. Also, if any of you
have any ideas that would be most certainly accepted! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">When we met with Molly
this week we were able to talk to her about a new bap date! She doesn't have
one yet, she needs to talk to her mom, but she said it is something she wants to
do as soon as possible! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">On Monday we spent the
day in Las Cruces for a zone conference. Elder Bennett of the 70 came and
talked to us from 10-5! It was super good though and I was personally chastised
for not inviting people to be baptized on the first lesson. Ha, ok not really
chastised but he asked why we don't always do it and I brought up how often
times for me it's because I'm worried that the person will be defensive and
surprised and not want to meet with us anymore. Ha and then he talked about
that for like an hour. So I guess I had better do it huh?! He was saying though
that what it really boils down to is that if they get freaked out and they're
not ready, they're not ready, and regardless of when you asked, they would have
said no. And that by putting it off, which is what they're expecting anyway,
you're just making it uncomfortable for everyone and actually reducing their
likelihood of saying yes, because they want to know why their not being
straightforward with you. Kind of like an awkward, beat around the bush dtr.
Besides, something Sister Dummar and I were talking about a bit before the
meeting anyway was that when you ask someone to get baptized the first time,
you really aren't even asking them to get baptized at all. What you say is when
you find out these things are true, will you follow the example of Jesus Christ
and be baptized by someone holding the proper priesthood authority of God. So,
what you're really asking is, are you willing to change? If you knew for sure
that this was the truth and that this was what God wanted, would you do
anything about it? Because if you're not willing to change, if you're not going
to do anything, what is the point of us coming to see you anyway? Elder Bennett
said that if we started inviting at the first and every lesson that we would
see the baptisms in our mission double. So! Here we go ha ha. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Oh, Sister Dummar and I
had hot chocolate this week made from egg nog instead of milk or water or
whatever. It was actually not bad but holy cow was it rich! Well, I hope you
all are doing awesome and loving Christmas! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Love, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">April <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Aprilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12673426434819853796noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2937650450404341978.post-89264027933578111122015-12-01T22:56:00.001-07:002015-12-01T22:56:15.132-07:00Merry Christmas!<div class="MsoNormal">
Now that it's officially December I guess I
can say that right? I hope that you all had a fantastic Thanksgiving. Ours was
pretty great. We went in the morning to help with a service project our stake
was having cleaning up after the Thanksgiving parade. We thought we were
meeting when the parade ended but actually it was when it was starting, so we
got to watch that first. I don't know, my opinion still stands that parades are
kind of pointless and boring but it was a little interesting to see the
difference in what made up an El Paso parade compared to an Everett or
Marysville one. The El Paso parade was about 70% some form of military or
police force ( Ft. Bliss, Border Patrol etc.) and 20% Catholic school or other
Catholic things and then 10% random stuff.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After the cleanup we went and had a lesson with one of our
new investigators Tim. Yeah, that's right; he's so cool he meets with us on
Thanksgiving! Ha, actually his dad is in the hospital so they had their
celebration on another day but it was cool to see him. We just started teaching
him last Monday but he is doing really well so far. We also only had three
dinners. It's kind of funny though because up until like a few days before no
one was going to feed us. We were well taken care of though, as we always are!
The last dinner we had was with two of our other new investigators Sarah and
Iliria. They're Italian and Guamanian so we had gnocchi and lamb for dinner.
And turducken ha ha. I actually didn't get to try that though but I will some
day! Apparently it's a southern thing? <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Along with those
three investigators we met another lady this week named Carol, who used to have
missionaries come talk to her a lot about "Joseph Brown". Well, at
least that's better than John Smith right? Ha, so clearly we have some
foundation work to do but she seems pretty cool. She has a lot of questions
about who God is and what His role is in our life. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Because of the Holiday this week we did a lot of less active
work too, probably the most actually that I've done since coming to this ward.
So that has been kind of cool to see. Less active work is always kind of
interesting. Oh we saw Charles this week again as well and he finally prayed
with us again! Right before he prayed he looked at us and said "a miracle
is about to occur." ha ha. He is really coming along pretty well. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Other than that we have really just been doing our mandatory
caroling. That's right, mandatory spreading of the Christmas spirit, ha ha.
It's been going pretty well though, and it makes contacting people after dark a
lot easier. We haven't seen anything too cool happen from it yet, but I'm sure
we will in time. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Something interesting that's been on my mind the past little
bit is something that happened in one of our lessons yesterday. We were
teaching about the restoration and more specifically about prophets. The member
who we took with us likes to blather and as soon as we got into apostasy went
into a long spiel about how God has proven that the apostasy would happen in
his scripture and started throwing out scriptures from Daniel and Amos and
Revelations and Corinthians. And then he went on about the Roman Empire and
Nero and blah blah blah. It was really kind of interesting to see because it
really showed how you just cannot prove that the gospel is true. You can't with
history, or theological or philosophical debates, even or maybe even especially
with the scriptures. How we use the scriptures in our teaching but we have to
use them to support and explain, not to prove or convince. God doesn't stoop to
man's level of persuasion for spiritual things, and I think he especially isn't
fond of when we try to use His words to do so. Anyway, I don't mean to rag on
this member, he's a good guy and was doing I'm sure the best he knew but it was
just interesting to see. No, the way to find truth is so much more simple. Ask
and rely on God, believing that He will answer and he will give it to you.
Maybe not the answer you want, or the whole answer, but peace, or knowledge or
comfort or something.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Well, I hope you all have a fantastic week! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Love, <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
April <o:p></o:p></div>
Aprilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12673426434819853796noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2937650450404341978.post-4241200451331457832015-11-24T22:57:00.000-07:002015-12-01T22:59:54.974-07:00Happy Thanksgiving!<div class="MsoNormal">
Hello and welcome to another week! By the way, happy
Thanksgiving! I hope that you all have an awesome Thanksgiving and really do
take a moment to remember the things that you are grateful for and the
blessings you have received. I know that I certainly have a lot to be grateful
for this year! Last Thanksgiving I had just been in the MTC for a week! How
crazy is that?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This week we taught Charles a few times, who has been doing
pretty good! He even told us yesterday that he was willing to pray with us! So,
it was too bad that we had to cancel our appointment with him. But, now that
he's fessed up that he's ready there's no getting out of it! Ha, ha. It was
pretty cool, we taught him last week and after we finished he said "What's
next! Tell me more!" So we were pretty happy about that!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We also met a woman this week named Vivian and her niece.
They sent us a message asking if we could come over and we said "Of course!
Who are you?" Ha, it turns out that Vivian had been talked to for a few
minutes and given a card by Sister Mckendrick and Sister Williams back in July
and she was just now calling. So, I guess those little oym's do pay off in the
end some times. It was cool to talk with them and hopefully they'll let us come
back soon.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We also picked up three other new investigators this week.
One was a referral in a trailer park named Tim and the other are two sisters
that we tracked into named Ilatia and Sarah, who actually invited us to come
spend Thanksgiving with them, so that's awesome! The trailer park that Tim
lives in is an interesting place. People just seem to wander around there for
no particular reason. And we met a few people there that we are most certainly
never talking to again ha ha. We did meet one really cool guy there though
named Dennis. He looked at us and said "You go to that church on Hondo
Pass right? I want to go there. I want my son to go there too." Apparently
he fell in love with a member in Utah who rejected him but, he's kept her
picture all of these years and he's always wanted to know more about what was
in her life. So, I'll run with that! Flirt to convert, I guess it works
sometimes? Still, not recommended though.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Also, holy referrals Batman! We have like 11 referrals this
week! So hopefully something good will come out of those! This week we also
found Blockbuster! What! Yeah, it still exists, in El Paso at least. Apparently
there are 5 here. And, we made a cake because Sister Dummar finished her first
week in the mission and I finished my first year (well, only year I guess) so
why not right?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This week I have been thinking about gratitude of course,
and Mosiah chapter 2, which is all about gratitude and blessings. Verses, 19-24
and 41.It is amazing how all that Heavenly Father asks us to do is to keep His
commandments, which he only gives us to make us happy in the first place! And,
equivalent exchange is clearly not a things with God. If we do even our
smallest little part to try a little harder, we are ridiculously blessed and
compensated for our efforts! That is something that I have really come to see
on my mission. I feel like if I never received another blessing, I still
wouldn't be "even" with God for all of the things that I have done
and things that he has given me! Anyway, something to think about.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Well, I hope you all have an amazing Thanksgiving!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Love,<o:p></o:p></div>
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">April</span>Aprilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12673426434819853796noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2937650450404341978.post-11493858925301554102015-11-17T23:06:00.000-07:002015-12-01T23:06:38.478-07:00welcome to a new transfer!<div class="MsoNormal">
Hello friends, how are you all? And welcome to a new
transfer! This transfer is a little extra crazy because it's only 5 weeks
instead of 6 so that the missionaries who are going home can leave in time for
Christmas. And then the next transfer is going to be 7 weeks instead of 6 to
compensate for the missing week so, crazy stuff. My prediction now that I'm
training again is that I'll be down here in Hondo Pass until the February
transfer but who knows! I've never been in an area for more than three
transfers so it will be interesting to see. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My new companion is pretty great, her name is Sister Dummar
and she is from Rexburg, Idaho. And she used to live in Heber, Utah, so
naturally everyone she meets knows someone that she knows! It's kind of crazy
actually and kind of cool. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This week has been a bit crazy with transfers and training
and all of that fun stuff so sadly, we didn't get to teach too many lessons. We
also had about three of our investigators break up with us so we are on the
lookout for new investigators! If any of you have or know any, please send them
this direction! We have a lot of new potentials though so here is hoping that
things go well soon. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We were able to pick up one new investigator this week. Her
name is Elsa and she's about 70 years old. Our lesson with her was quite the
mess but, she agreed to let us come back so we'll have to see what we can do.
We've also been meeting with Charles this week and he is doing pretty well!
He's been a lot more open with us about what his thoughts are and he is really
starting to pray and come closer to Christ, which is fantastic! We also last
week had a random lady text us and ask us to come over so, I have no idea who
this person is but you had better believe we are going to her house.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I'm starting to get pretty excited for Christmas and
Thanksgiving and the like. It's just an awesome time to talk to people about
Christ! So, hopefully things go well =D <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This week I have been thinking about how often times, we
have questions about something in the Gospel or don't understand something or
have doubts, not because what we are hearing or learning is untrue or not from
God, but just because or understanding of it is wrong. For example, in the
intro to the Book of Mormon, it says that it contains the fullness of the
Gospel. When I was younger, I thought that meant that every doctrinal truth or
principle could be found somewhere in the Book of Mormon. And I was confused
when things like baptism for the dead or temple work or something like that
weren't in there (or I just don't know where they are). What I later came to
realize is that my understanding of the "fullness of the gospel" was
incorrect. I thought the gospel of Jesus Christ was just another way of saying
all of the doctrine of the church. But, what it really is, is faith,
repentance, baptism, the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end. The
Book of Mormon teaches us many things, any maybe all of the doctrine really is
in there somewhere and I just haven't found it yet, but the "fullness of
the gospel" means that it teaches us not only those 5 things, but also
teaches about them. How to do them, why they are important, etc. And if you
think about the Book of Mormon, doesn't to do just that? How many times and
even chapters are there to help us understand faith, repentance, baptism, the
Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end. Tons! Anyway, I hope that makes sense.
It's just interesting to see how, what I had learned was always true, it was
just my understanding of it that was incorrect. Another example is Helaman
16:15-19. Those hard hearted people were right in their questioning Christ
would should show Himself to them, in fact, he would! But they relied on their
own knowledge and their understanding of what was being told to them was wrong.
If they changed their understanding that would have made all of the difference.
Anyway, hope that makes some sense! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Hope you all have a fantastic week! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Love, <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
April <o:p></o:p></div>
Aprilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12673426434819853796noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2937650450404341978.post-67793195697646396652015-11-10T23:11:00.000-07:002015-12-01T23:11:35.232-07:00I'm staying here in El Paso<div class="MsoNormal">
Hey friends! This week I prioritized and have more time to
write but... I don't have much to say since not a lot happened this week. Go
figure right? As far as transfers go, I'm staying here in El Paso and I'm
getting a brand new missionary to train. Even though it's only been a few
months it feels like I haven't trained in forever! I'll be fun though, I'm
excited! I was surprised about not leaving but you know what they say, once you
go south, you die south. Unless of course you're Sister Orseth, who came down
for one transfer and is now going all the way back up! Ha, maybe I'll be like
Elder Olsen. He's finally leaving El Paso County after 15 consecutive months
here! Either way, odds are good with the new missionary that I'll be here for
at least another 3 months. But, El Paso is a good place to be a missionary so
that's fine with me! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Hmm, like I said, not a whole lot of excitement to report on
this week. We did meet with Charles a few times this week. We asked him how his
prayers were going and he said "my knees have bruises" so that's
fantastic! He's still having trouble finding answers to his prayers but he's
putting in the effort now, which is a big step for him. He's also really
looking forward to the addiction recovery program that's starting later this
week so we're hoping that will help a lot too. We also got the chance to see
Judy again this week and talk to her about focusing on the simple things, the
foundation questions, and worrying about all of the other concerns later.
Hopefully she'll do that and start to see the answers to what she is looking
for. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Also, I don't remember if I told you but we got drafted into
a Christmas Choir, so we have been doing practices for that. It's going to be a
"spontaneous singing" aka a flash mob in the mall. They were telling
us to make sure that we look inconspicuous before the thing starts. I'm not
really sure how inconspicuous a bunch of missionaries in a mall can really look
but I guess we can try! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This Sunday we had a regional broadcast for stake conference
where we heard from Elder Robins, Elder Corbridge, Elder Oaks, and Sister
Reeves. One of the things that the Stake President talked about beforehand
though was the blessing that come from doing family history. Apparently one of
the promised blessings is more freedom from addictions, so that's interesting!
They talked about a lot of really good things at the conference, and it was
cool that some of the stuff was what we had actually talked to people about
earlier this week. My favorite though was Elder Robins talking about
simplifying. He referenced Elder Oaks talk "Good, Better, Best" as
well as President Uchtdorft's talk from last conference about simplifying. I
think it's an important topic we don't think about often. The scriptures often
talk about pruning as a metaphor. The reason why you prune a tree is so that
the energy and devotion can go to the things that really matter and can create
less quantity but more quality fruit rather than more quantity but less quality
fruit. The same is true in our own lives. The sooner we realize that we can't
do it all, the better off we'll be. Of course there are still many things we
need to do and would even like to do, but some good things need to go so that
the best things can have quality fruit. Something that his talk reminded me of
was a section in PMG that says: <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"You will do many things that are not described in the
key indicators since as street contacting or personal and companion study. These
important activities contribute to one or more of the key indicators. For
example, when you teach those you find through your own efforts, you add new
investigators to your teaching pool. Also, the quality of your personal and
companion study will improve your ability to teach by the Spirit, which will
bless your new and progressing investigators. The power of your finding and
teaching will influence every key indicator. Evaluate all you do based on
whether it adds to the numbers of people in these categories. If you and your
companion cannot see how a proselyting activity might help increase the numbers
of people in one or more key indicators, you need to question whether the
activity is worth your time." <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Missionaries have obvious key indicators, they are given to
us, but everyone should have their own key indicators as well, the things that
really matter or really matter to you in life. If you feel like you are too
busy or too stressed out or don't have time for important things like family or
God, evaluate your activities. Are they the best things? Do you need to prune
your tree of good but not best branches? Is the activity increasing your key
indicators of life? <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Anyway, just a though. I hope you all have an amazing week! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Love, <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
April<o:p></o:p></div>
Aprilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12673426434819853796noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2937650450404341978.post-3333244634668308242015-11-03T23:12:00.000-07:002015-12-01T23:12:42.888-07:00A Quick Note<div class="MsoNormal">
Friends! Sorry but I only have about 5 minutes! I know I am
the worst prioritizer ever. I promise that next Monday I will write this e-mail
first! So, next week is transfers! So everyone start your transfer predictions.
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As far as excitement this week goes, we didn't really do
much, other than get caught in a flash flood. But, that's sadly pretty typical
for El Paso. We picked up an awesome new investigator this week named Chris. He
has a member friend who lives in Anthony and another friend who he used to work
with in the oil field. He's super smart though and really has a good understanding
of the things that we are teaching him. He even went to church on Sunday in
Anthony! Which is impressive because it's kind of far away and it's a Spanish
branch. So hopefully this Sunday he'll come to our English ward =D <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Other than that things are about the same. Sorry again to be
so short! But know that I love all of your faces and so does Heavenly Father!
Something I did this week was learn a new perspective of the atonement. I don't
have time to share it but I'd challenge you to take time to find a new
perspective for yourself! There are a lot of them! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Hope you have a good week! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Love, <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
April <o:p></o:p></div>
Aprilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12673426434819853796noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2937650450404341978.post-75063459878332346262015-10-27T23:18:00.000-06:002015-12-01T23:19:54.049-07:00This week has been quite exciting.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--3D9zJB0tao/Vl6NcXV7t0I/AAAAAAAAArc/7c--mlFzDSs/s1600/albuquerque-mormon-temple.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--3D9zJB0tao/Vl6NcXV7t0I/AAAAAAAAArc/7c--mlFzDSs/s320/albuquerque-mormon-temple.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Well friends! This week has been quite exciting. Hopefully I
have time to fill you in on all of the details. On Tuesday we had a freak hail
storm and was the crazies thing I have ever seen. Seriously, the hail was like
the size of moth balls I was honestly a little bit worried that our windows
were going to break! And of course since El Paso doesn't believe in drains the
streets flooded! So that was exciting! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This week our car also decided to become good and broken.
Tuesday night, while we were trying to not die from killer hail our car started
acting possessed. The radio would randomly turn on and then turn off and then
change channels. The steering wheel would randomly lock up and lights kept
turning off and on. Well, weird but not all that dangerous right? So, we
figured we'd just chalk it up to the psycho weather and see if anything was
actually wrong in the morning. Well... it was. Our car just straight up
wouldn't start the next day and, to make things even more exciting. The key got
stuck in the ignition. Apparently when your car is super dead, it eats your
key, because that's smart.... Anyway, to make a long story short we got it
jumped and made an appointment with the dealership to get it fixed but it
wasn't until today. So we got to spend all week with a psycho car that randomly
stops working. I think we jumped it about 7 times this week. Thankfully, it
always died at good spots like at the church or the apartment. So at least our
car has a little bit of compassion on us. The most frustrating on though was
yesterday when we were trying to go over to the institute to meet our ride to
go to the temple (more on the temple trip later) and for the life of us it was
not having it. But what can you expect? The worst always seems to happen on
your way to the temple right? <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ready for the next adventure? On Wednesday we thought it
might be a good idea to go out to Chaparral which I think I've told you about.
If you've ever been to Fallon, NV that's a lot what it's like, except full of
trailer parks. Ha, ok sorry that's mean to Fallon. Chaparrel is pretty bad though.
Coyotes and dirt and apparently hidden mud pits. You’ll never guess how we
found out about the mud pits... So, Sister Baker and Sister Orseth are driving
down the "road" (a loosly used term in Chappy) when suddenly, the car
just stops. Thankfully it didn't die but, it was stuck. So, I got to experience
pushing a car out of the mud in a skirt. At least for a few minutes, until I
remember that I had service clothes in the trunk! Thankfully, we were rescued
by a kind guy with a truck who showed up about 30 seconds after we prayed for
some help. Ha, oh after he helped us though I had to back Sister Orseth (she
was driving since I was all muddy) all the way down the dirt road so we could
get out of there. After about three minutes of wading through a sea of goat
heads though I decided there was just a better way to do things so I just sat
on the back of the car and directed her that way. So, what do we learn from
this? 1) Chappy is the worst 2) keep emergency service clothes with you at all
times 3) Heavenly Father hears and answers prayers, even when our need for help
is caused by our own idiocy. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I wish that was all
that happened this week but... nope. Remember how Molly was going to get
baptized? Well... she didn't. Through various circumstances her interview was
scheduled three times this week and each time canceled about 20 minutes before
it was supposed to happen. Then Saturday night her mom tells us that she can't
get baptized tomorrow because they have to take her brother to the hospital. So
thankfully it wasn't postponed because of any kind of worthiness issue and we
should be able to reschedule it soon! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Don't worry, the rest of the things that happened this week
were good. One of them was that we had a lesson with stubborn old Charles. He likes
to listen to us because we are "too young to know real life" and he
doesn't like to "formally pray" which means anything other than
having a prayer in your heart. This week though, he really opened up to us, and
he told us that he prayed "formally" on his own. We talked to him a
lot about his relationship with God and watched "Hope of God's Light"
with him. And, even though he tried to hide it, I saw him tearing up. Charles
still thinks were too young to know life but, he's really starting to come around.
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We were also about to see our investigator Judi this week
who we hadn't seen in ages. She has really been struggling because the rest of
her family is against her being involved in the church. This week though she
told us that she tried again to share the Book of Mormon with her husband and
they read Alma 32 together. They also started praying together and her son who
claims to be a hard core atheist even prayed at one of their meals. She asked
her husband if he wanted to meet with the missionaries and he said not yet but
still, that is huge! Hopefully this will mean big progress for both of them. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The last exciting thing that we did this week was go to the
temple up in Albuquerque. We were able to ride up with the Edwards, the senior
couple from the UTEP ward who are amazing! I think one of my life goals is to
acquire their awesome qualities one day. We also went up with the West UTEP
sisters. We ended up getting to the temple at the perfect time for us to be
able to see everyone. Literally I think I saw every missionary that I wanted
to. It was really cool. And everyone was running around like crazing trying to
do different things, going in or coming out or getting this or that or whatever
but every place you looked, there was someone that you knew and someone that
you wanted to see and most of the time, it was someone that you weren't
expecting to see too. When we walked into the dressing room I went through the
doors and was immediate face to face with three of my past companions. It was
like they were all just waiting for me to get there or something. Anyway, I
don't know what it will be like after this life, or what exactly we will be
doing but I kind of imagine that it will be a lot like that. A long trip (it's
4 hours from El Paso to Albuquerque) and people all in different stages and
activities, but everyone you want to see, and most often when you don't expect
it. I don't know, I guess we'll just have to see.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Oh, one more thing that happened this week, we were
"volunteered" into a Christmas concert! So we sang some Christmas
music at a practice, so that was fun. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Anyway, hope you all are doing well!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Love, <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
April <o:p></o:p></div>
Aprilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12673426434819853796noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2937650450404341978.post-34584999199318724692015-10-20T23:31:00.000-06:002015-12-01T23:32:09.287-07:00Molly is getting baptized on Saturday!<div class="MsoNormal">
Hey friends! How goes life? Today we had to go to the mall
to get a new bag for Sister Orseth so you get a short message from me again. I
know, you probably prefer it that way right? Ha ha. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The most exciting thing that is going on is that Molly is
getting baptized on Saturday! So this week we get to set up all the details and
make sure no one forgets that they are giving a talk because that may or may
not have happened in the past... We also picked up some awesome new
investigators this week, the most interesting of which is Nick. He is friends
with one of our members JJ. She invited him to watch conference and he watched
both Sunday sessions! We had a little get to know him lesson after he came to
church on Sunday and it seems like he is going to progress really well. The
only problem for us is... he's only 21. Darn those YSA's they get all the good
ones. But I'm excited for him to learn more. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Other than that, things have been about the same. Sorry I
don't have really anything fun or exciting to say this week. We went to
Chaparral once and it was just as creepy as always. We have a lot of lessons
with potential investigators this week so hopefully we'll have some good new
people to start meeting with soon. It seems like all of our regular
investigators have been out of town or "out of town" recently so
hopefully we can turn that around soon. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This morning I read something really interesting in my
scriptures. I reminded me that the scriptures always teach us something new,
particularly pertaining to our own needs at the time. It's amazing how
something different will stand out to us or stand out in a different way that
will help to answer a question or resolve a concern or even just to teach us.
For example, I was kind of bummed about having to pass off two of our
investigators to other missionaries. Of course I was glad that they are being
taught, but I guess in a selfish way I wanted someone good to teach. This
morning though I read Alma 20, where Ammon and Lamoni go to save Aaron and
everyone from prison and run into King Lamoni's dad. Well, long story short,
King Lamoni's dad (whose name I don't think they ever say, weird huh) is impressed by Ammon and
asks him to come and visit him and teach him in his kingdom (vs 27). Well the
other day I read Alma 22 where Aaron goes to teach King Lamoni's dad and his
dad asks "where is Ammon?" and Aaron tells him " the Spirit of
the Lord has called him another way; he has gone to the land of Ishmael, to
teach the people of Lamoni." Or in other words, he went back to his area
to work with the people there. Even though it was Ammon who had this original
meeting and kind of picked up King Lamoni's dad as an investigator, and he was
a super amazing investigator, he knew it was more important to pass him off or,
send him as a referral to the missionaries in his area who would be Aaron. So
he did, and went back to his own area and no big deal. So, mind blowing, no not
really, but certainly applicable to my current circumstances. And it can be
like that every time we read. So, I guess what I'm trying to say is read your
scriptures because they apply to you! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Anyway, hope you all have an amazing week! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Love, <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
April <o:p></o:p></div>
Aprilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12673426434819853796noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2937650450404341978.post-87262529654356330302015-10-06T23:30:00.000-06:002015-12-01T23:30:33.251-07:00oh! I turned 22 this week too! That was fun =)<div class="MsoNormal">
Well friends, I'm
afraid that due to I don't even know what, I don't seem to have a lot of time
left to write today. So sorry if this is a bit brief. The best thing for sure
that happened this week is that Molly got a baptism date!! Assuming all goes
well, she should be baptized on the 24th! So that was awesome. Other than that,
most of our week has been spent in odds and ends to get the new transfer off to
a good start and getting things settled from our move. There has been a lot of
debate recently about if we are or are not in fact receiving a washer and
dryer. Currently we are not and all of my dreams have been crushed but who
knows, that might change.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Other than that this
week was transfers and I got a new companion. Her name is Sister Orseth and she
is from Paulsbo, Washington. Which is apparently west of Seattle, so who knew
that? This is the first time that I've had a companion who has been from the
same place as me, so that's kind of cool.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Conference was this
week as well of course! We were able to watch some of it with some of our
investigators so that was great. It's interesting to see how many of the
apostles have either passed away recently or are just not doing well. I almost
feel like Heavenly Father is gearing up a new group of people for something big
to go down. Who knows though... If any of the apostles though start planning a
trip to Jerusalem in the near future though, it might be time to start freaking
out =D<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My favorite talk from
Conference was the one by Elder Lawrence about the Holy Ghost and how it will
speak to us. I loved how the answers that people received from the Holy Ghost
were so personal and so specific. It was more than just "keep the
commandments" it was what you needed to do and what would help. I just love
how individually we are each known and how much Heavenly Father wants to help
us and will help us in detail if we just ask. I've been thinking a bit about
agency recently and how it really does play a role in everything! That's the
reason why we have to pray for things. Of course Heavenly Father already knows
what we want and what we need, but he respects us and our agency enough that he
won't give us things that we don't ask for. It's always about us, and what will
help us grow and become more independent. I think the ultimate goal of God is
not only for them to of course return to live with him, but also for them to
become self sufficient in every way. Spiritually, mentally, physically,
whatever it is. We have learned and asked and exercised enough that we can rely
on ourselves. Not of course that we can do things now without God, that's crazy
and prideful suggest, and part of being self sufficient I think is knowing when
you need to ask for help and when you're in over your head (because even though
you're technically not doing it by yourself, you're getting what you need to
done, if that makes sense) but we can eventually become like our Father,
perfect and perfectly able to act and do on our own. Hopefully that doesn't
sound like we don't need God, but you get what I mean.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Anyway, that's all
I've got! See you next week!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Love,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
April<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
P.S. oh! I turned 22 this week too! That was fun =)<o:p></o:p></div>
Aprilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12673426434819853796noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2937650450404341978.post-33219827454405058782015-09-28T23:26:00.000-06:002015-12-01T23:28:16.892-07:00"MOM! YOU DIDN'T TELL ME IT WAS WHITE PEOPLE WHO WERE COMING!!"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VmyUeLgfY0A/Vl6PSE2H6sI/AAAAAAAAAro/o3_yq1gAoYU/s1600/1210.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="192" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VmyUeLgfY0A/Vl6PSE2H6sI/AAAAAAAAAro/o3_yq1gAoYU/s320/1210.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Well friends, happy start to a new transfer. I'm still going
to be hanging out here in the Hondo Pass ward in El Paso but Sister McKendrick
is getting transferred, which means that I am getting a new companion from the
north, but that's all I know. Sometimes you can kind of figure out who is going
where but not this time! At least not as far as the people I know are
concerned. So we'll just have to wait and see. I have a good feeling though
that she is going to be pretty awesome. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A big part of our week was taken up by moving and preparing
to move. We moved out of our old smoke infested apartment into a much nicer one
a few streets down. The only downside is that we were supposed to have a washer
and dryer. Now we have a washer and dryer hook up but... that's not quite the
same. And yes, yes, I know, I should be grateful that we're not in Africa and
have to use washboards and I am but it's still a bit of a bummer. Oh, last
night was also a blood moon and so everyone was freaking out about it being the
end of the world and signs of the times and all that junk. So that was
interesting. We had to watch out for crazy people in the street on the way home
a few times. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This week we were able to have a few awesome lessons with
Judy, Ron and Teresa and the Camachos. We also picked up a new investigator
named Tonya who has a slightly racist son. He's just a kid but when we went to
her house the other day and walked in the door he just looked at us and yelled
"MOM! YOU DIDN'T TELL ME IT WAS WHITE PEOPLE WHO WERE COMING!!" and
then stormed away. Well... sorry kid, not much I can do about that... <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ron and Teresa are doing really well; we just need to get
them to come to church. I think they're just nervous to come especially since
Ron has been inactive for so long but once they do I wouldn't be surprised if
Teresa got on date pretty quickly after that. Thankfully conference is coming
up next week and we're hoping that will be a good stepping stone into church.
My birthday by the way has been a fantastic excuse to get people to watch
conference. Yeah, we'll come over and celebrate and... listen to the prophet!
Ha, ha. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This week we also met
a man named Jared who is in a part member family where the wife and kids just
started coming back to church. He insists on calling everyone who's a member a
Mormonite. It's actually pretty great, I sort of wish we really did call
ourselves that. He's also not super impressed with the role of a Bishop. He
comes from a Catholic background where apparently the Bishop does a lot of
talking and stuff during the service. He told us "I could be the Bishop!
All he ever does is sit there and check his watch. Seriously, sign me up for
that job. I'll come open the church building 3 times earlier than he
does!" His wife dared him to tell our Bishop that. Hopefully he doesn't
but, that would be quite the sight to see. It's true though, it's hard to
explain what the Bishop does and how busy it really is. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This Saturday as I'm sure you all know was the Women's
Conference meeting. If you haven't seen it you should watch it, especially
President Uchtdorf''s talk at the end. It is fantastic, and apparently, he has
some pretty strong opinions about cats. I would love to see the memes people
are making about that one. That's still a thing right? BYU memes was on a bit
of a downward trek when I left though so who knows. Anyway, the talk was on
finding happiness and being happy and I really enjoyed it. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Something else I have been thinking about recently is
keeping the Sabbath day holy. I know, it's something people have been talking
about for forever! The interesting thing about the Sabbath is that it is
entirely why we are doing something and not what we are doing that makes the
difference. To some extent that is true of all of the commandments and things that
we do, but just talking to people about the Sabbath has made me think more
about why I do and don't do what I do then. Even with the standard things we
do, like not shopping or playing sports, the why influences it. For example, I
had a conversation with a friend a while ago where he told me that he was
getting a movie from red box on Sunday and I told him that I was going to the
library. In both instances we thought the other person was in the wrong on the
same principle, not working/spending money on Sunday but for different reasons.
His interpretation of it was that we don't spend money on Sunday so that we
don't make other people work. So going to red box was find because it wasn't
making anyone else work but going to the library was bad because even though
you weren’t spending money, you were making people work by going there. My
interpretation of it was, that we don't personally work, and we don't spend
money because money is, in many cases the pure essence of worldliness, which is
what we are trying to avoid on the Sabbath. So, going to the library was fine
because I wasn't working or spending money, but getting a movie from red box
was bad because it was spending money. Anyway, who was "right" I
don't know, if anyone, but it was interesting to see how much the why
influenced the what, even though the rule (don't work or spend money on Sunday)
was the same. I don't have any cool answers or insights to this I guess, just
something I've been considering as people have been talking more and more about
the Sabbath day and how and why we keep it holy. In the end, ask God, and think
about where your heart is, and if it's something you could do on another day if
there's a question. So... yeah... sorry no wisdom here.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Ha, well, anyway... <o:p></o:p></div>
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Hope you all are doing well and talk to you soon! <o:p></o:p></div>
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Love, <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
April <o:p></o:p></div>
Aprilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12673426434819853796noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2937650450404341978.post-63906097188461017872015-09-01T23:22:00.000-06:002015-12-01T23:22:57.297-07:00This week was sooooo busy!<div class="MsoNormal">
Hopefully I can tell you all
everything I want to. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Our car that has been broken since I got here (just the
window) finally got fixed this week! Which took a little time.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Something that's been particularly busy this week is Sister
McKendrick's broken shoulder. She messed it up in high school and then reinjured
it this week. So we have been running around going to the doctor and talking to
President and Sister Miller and trying to figure everything out. I even got to
talk to her dad for a few minutes on the phone to get some medical information.
So that was kind of cool, although strange for her I'm sure. So, what we
finally found out is that starting next week she gets to do physical therapy
three times a week for at least a month! Ha, that will be fun I'm sure. <o:p></o:p></div>
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This week we also went on exchanges with the Ysletta
Hermana.I got to drive a Jeep (don't ask me why they have a Jeep, I have no
idea) and smile at people and pretend that I knew what they were saying. Man I
wish there was some easy way to learn Spanish. It was fun though, and I really
liked doing language study. I wish that we had language study. I mean... I
don't want to get switched to Spanish speaking, no Heavenly Father that is not
what I'm saying! But language study was fun and it'll be cool to get to do it
with the other Hermanas this transfer. Maybe going on all of these exchanges
will help me to finally know at least what these people are saying! I can
actually read pretty decently people just talk way too fast for me! We have
probably 4 more this transfer so I guess we'll see. The Sister that I went on
exchanges with Hermana Torres, and I actually came out together, so that was
kind of cool to see her again too. <o:p></o:p></div>
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This week we had two baptisms as well! Well, one convert and
then the member who was getting rebaptized that I told you about last week.
Felicity's baptism was great and she brought a lot of her family. We're also
planning to start teaching her friend this week or next week too, so that is
pretty exciting. President and Sister Miller also randomly showed up for the
baptism and it was a little funny to see our poor Ward Mission Leader's
reaction when we told him. Ha, he was a little nervous but it was great! The
other baptism was fantastic as well, very small and quiet of course, but very
good. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I can't remember if I told you all about the couple the
pulled up to us in their truck and invited us over for dinner? Well, ha, if
not, that happened and we went and had dinner with them on Thursday. Ha, there
are so many things I do as a missionary that there's just no way I would as a
regular person. It went great though! The husband is a less active member and
is really interested in coming back. His wife grew up Catholic but as we were
talking to her about The Book of Mormon she got really interested and they
committed to reading it a little every night. Hopefully we'll see them again
this week! <o:p></o:p></div>
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So, something that I have been thinking about this week is
Psalms 24: 3-4, which says "Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord, or
who shall stand in His holy place? He that hath clean hands and a pure heart,
who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully." Most
of the time when we talk about this scripture we are talking about the temple,
God's holy place. In order to be worthy to go to the temple you have to have
clean hands, or action, but also a pure heart. To do things for the right
reasons. But this time I have been thinking about it in the terms of standing
in place of. Who shall stand in His holy place? When you stand in place of
something, you represent it. To stand in place of Him is to represent The Lord,
or Christ. And as missionaries and even members of the Church, what is it that
we say we do? We represent Him, we take His name upon us, and we receive His
image in our continuance. And what do we have to do to do that? Have clean
hands and a pure heart. There's a sweet quote that I'm about to butcher that
says something along the lines of People should want to know Christ because you
know Him, and they know you. When we talk His name upon us, we stand in His
holy place. I guess in a way that it's really all the same, being a
representative or being worthy to go to the temple, at least as far as
qualifications. But thinking about it like that was a little different for me,
and it made me think about how others see me and how I act around them I guess.
Anyway, that's just something to mull over. Let me know what you think. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Well, I hope you all are doing well and that your week goes
well! <o:p></o:p></div>
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Love, <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
April <o:p></o:p></div>
Aprilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12673426434819853796noreply@blogger.com0